SPRINGFIELD, USA – Merriam-Webster has announced the word, polarization, as its 2024 word of the year, reflecting the intense divisions in society that have defined the year’s political and cultural landscape.
The term, which the dictionary defines as “division into two sharply distinct opposites,” saw a significant spike in searches, particularly during the contentious presidential election cycle.
A Divisive Election Year
The announcement follows a heated election season, culminating in Donald Trump’s win as President-elect.
According to Merriam-Webster, search trends on its website indicated a growing desire among Americans to understand the term as it became central to discussions of politics, media, and societal divides.
“Search volume on Merriam-Webster.com throughout the year reflected the desire of Americans to better understand the complex state of affairs in our country and around the world,” the dictionary stated.
“Polarization” was frequently discussed across media outlets like MSNBC and Fox News, often used to describe the sharp contrasts in political ideologies and voter bases.
Other Words of the Year
Several politically charged terms also made Merriam-Webster’s list of notable words for 2024.
- Democracy: Lookups for “democracy” surged as Americans sought clarity on the concept amidst debates on its meaning and relevance. “The word democracy never appears in the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution, but it has long been a focus of American and global attention, rarely more so than now,” Merriam-Webster noted.
- Pander: The word gained traction in October when Vice President Kamala Harris faced accusations of pandering to various demographic groups during the campaign.
- Weird: This term saw increased searches after Minnesota Governor Tim Walz used it to describe “people on the other side” during a campaign appearance.
Beyond Politics
Merriam-Webster’s roundup also reflected broader cultural and scientific interests:
- Cognitive: The term saw a rise in lookups related to the health and cognitive abilities of both President Joe Biden and Donald Trump, highlighting voter concerns about leadership capacity.
- Demure: The word became a viral sensation thanks to TikToker Jools Lebron, who sparked a meme celebrating understated behaviour.
- Totality: Interest in this term peaked during the April solar eclipse, as people sought to understand the total phase of the celestial event.
- Allision: This nautical term, meaning a vessel colliding with a stationary object, trended following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore in March.
Competing Word Lists
Merriam-Webster’s announcement aligns with other prominent dictionaries’ selections of culturally significant words.
Last week, Oxford University Press named “brain rot” as its word of the year, referring to the internet-fuelled language trends of Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
Meanwhile, Collins Dictionary chose “Brat” after the Charli XCX album became a cultural touchstone over the summer.
The Year in Words
Merriam-Webster’s word of the year reflects a society grappling with stark divisions while navigating cultural shifts and global events.
As the nation heads into 2025, “polarization” serves as both a mirror and a reminder of the year’s defining challenges.
